• Marching Knights Alumni Chapter

If you're more excited to see the band at UCF football games, you're definitely a Marching Knight! Join us as we reminisce, remember and reunite with the Marching Knights of yesterday and today. Best of all, there are no membership dues!

All Knights are welcome to join us for social, career and community events throughout the year.

 

Getting involved is easy! Here's how:

  • Update your contact information and share your news.

  • Connect with us on social media.

  • Volunteer with the alumni chapter, email [email protected].

Azela Santana

Contact:

Azela Santana

Assistant Director of Advancement
College of Arts & Humanities

 

Marching Knights Website


  • Jessica Peeples ’12 ’17MNM ’17MPA | Chair | Marched 2008-2009 - Color Guard
  • Sasha Ruiz ’13 ’15 MA | Immediate Past-chair | Marched 2011-2012 - Alto Saxophone
  • Jessica Smith '18 | Chair-elect | Marched 2015-2016 - Starlet Knight Dancer
  • Jordan Pakrosnis ’15 | Communications Chair | Marched 2011-2015 - Clarinet
  • Jesse Hariton ’17 | Programs Chair | Marched 2011-2015 - Trumpet, Baritone
  • Dave Schreier ’02 ’10MA | Faculty Liaison | Marched 1997-2000 - Baritone
  • Jillian Pirozzi | Student Liaison | Marched 2018-current - Majorette
  • Erin Dockery ’04 ’07 | Member-at-large | Marched 1991-1994 & 1996-2000 - Clarinet
  • Beth Hoag ’94 | Member-at-large | Marched 1992-1993 - Color Guard
  • Leigh Nash ’14 ’17MSME | Member-at-large | Marched 2010-2014 - Piccolo
  • Jessica Needham ’20 | Member-at-large | Marched 2014-2019 - Piccolo, Alto Sax
  • Jen Steinhoff ’16 | Member-at-large | Starlet Knight Dance

Alumni Fall Reception | Aug. 20 | 8:30-9:30 p.m.


Millican Hall near Reflecting Pond

 

Each fall the Marching Knights Alumni Chapter kicks off the season with a dessert reception at the reflecting pond mark the close of band camp. Mingle with old friends and make new as we celebrate the season to come! 

 

Registration opens July 15. Event open to MK alumni and families.

 

Homecoming Reunion | Oct. 28-29

UCF Main Campus

 

The UCF Marching Knights Alumni Chapter hosts its annual reunion the weekend of the Homecoming football game. The event includes lots of fun events, including a social on Friday nights, a reunion breakfast following band practice and the opportunity to take the field to play along side the Marching Knights of today. Marching Knights Homecoming 2022 festivities will take place on Oct. 28-29. 

 

Registration opens Aug. 19. Reunion packages are $40 per person and include the following:

 

Friday Night Social | Oct. 28 | 8 p.m.

Burger U

 
  • Mingle with fellow band alumni.
  • Complimentary food and soft drinks from 8-9.
  • Meet and greet with the band directors between 8-9 p.m.
  • Open to MK alumni and families.

Saturday Game Day Festivities | Oct. 29 | All day

UCF Main Campus

 
  • Opportunity to march on the field with current Marching Knights during the homecoming half-time show. (Alumni participants must not be current UCF undergraduate students. Graduate students are welcome.)
  • Access to MK practice on Saturday morning. (If marching in the half-time show, practice is mandatory.)
  • Reunion breakfast immediately following band practice.
  • Commemorative MK alumni reunion lapel pin.
  • Access to borrow an instrument should one be needed.

*A full Marching Knights schedule will be available as soon as the official game time is announced.  

NOTE: Reunion package does not include admission to the game or the official MK alumni shirt needed to march on the field. 

 

GAME ADMISSION TICKETS: You must purchase admission to the game on your own. The purchase option for the discounted block of MK alumni seats in section 134 is first-come, first-served. In order to purchase game tickets, search Ticket Master online to find available game tickets for the Oct. 29 homecoming game. You may sit anywhere in the stadium and still participate on the field with the alumni band if you have registered for the reunion and signed up to march.


 

For more information about homecoming reunion, read through our FAQ list below.

Q. When is Homecoming 2022?
A. Homecoming is Oct. 28-29. The Marching Knights reunion will take place  Oct. 28-29. The Homecoming football game is on Oct. 29 against Cincinnati.

 

Q. When is the registration deadline?
A. The deadline to register for homecoming reunion will be Oct. 1, midnight. Registration opens Aug. 19, 2022.

 

Q. What's included in the price of the reunion?
A. Registration includes a social Friday night, the reunion breakfast immediately following band practice, the opportunity to march on the field during the half-time show and a commemorative lapel pin. The homecoming package is $40 per person. (Package does not include admission to the game or the official MK alumni shirt needed for those marching on the field.) 

 

Q. Is the price different if I'm not planning to march in the halftime show?
A. No, pricing is the same, whether you are marching in the halftime show or not.

 

Q. Do I have to pay for a game ticket?

A. Yes! All reunion attendees must secure admission to the game through purchase or season tickets.

 

The purchase option for the discounted block of MK alumni seats in section 134, found here. You can also purchase general game tickets on Ticket Master or sit in your season ticket seats. You may sit anywhere in the stadium and still participate on the field with the alumni band if you have registered for the reunion and signed up to march.

 

Section 134 - Availability is not guaranteed. Once the section is full you must purchase tickets in a different section. 

 

Season tickets - Those who have existing season ticket seats may use those, but must then sit in those assigned seats. If you use season tickets, you will not be able to sit in the alumni band section during the game. If you wish to play on the field during halftime, you will receive direction on where to meet the alumni band and at what time. After halftime, you will return to your season ticket seats.

 

Q. Do I have to have the Marching Knights Alumni polo or t-shirt to march during the half-time show?
A. Yes, in order to march you must purchase and wear official black MK polo or t-shirt. The polos are a great option as they can be used again if you plan on marching again next year. Shirts will be available online and will be directly shipped to the address provided. Please order your shirts by Oct. 1 in order to receive it before game day. Guests are not required to have the official shirts, but are welcome to purchase one online. Those marching will also receive a wrist band to get on to the field. 

 

Q. Where do I get my official, black alumni shirt?
A. Shirts will be available for purchase here. A portion of the net proceeds will benefit chapter operations and student scholarships. If you did not receive the password via email, please email [email protected]

 

Q. What shirt sizes are available?
A. There are various shirt options available:

  • T-shirts: S-3X, unisex, 100% cotton
  • Women's Polos: S-3X, 100% polyester Sport-Tek
  • Men’s Polos: S-3X, 100% polyester Sport-Tek

 

Q. If I'm not attending the reunion, can I still purchase a reunion T-shirt/Polo?
A. Yes! New this year, the official alumni shirts will be available online. Purchase here. Email [email protected] for the password. 

 

Q. Who is eligible to participate in Homecoming Reunion?
A. MK alumni reunion is open to all MK alumni and families. Participants must not be current undergraduate students. Graduate students are welcome..

 

Q. I'm no longer in Marching Knights and I'm still a current student, can I participate in alumni reunion?
A. Unfortunately not.  Current UCF undergraduate students are not eligible to participate in alumni reunion.  Only those who have graduated or left the university and are no longer enrolled may participate. Refunds will not be issued to current students should the register by mistake. Those that have returned for graduate school are welcome.

 

Q. What's the attire for marching on the field?
A. Attire must be the official black, MK polo or t-shirt and khaki shorts or pants and closed-toe shoes/sneakers. Dancers may wear the official, black MK polo or t-shirt with black stretch dance wear bottoms.

 

Q. When I go to the field to march in the half-time show, can my guests accompany me?
A. No, guests who are not part of the alumni band, marching during the half-time show may watch from the stands. 

 

Q. Where will the event be prior to the game?
A. The catered breakfast will be available immediately following morning band practice at the MK practice facility. The official schedule of times will be released once game time is made available.

 

Q. What's the schedule for the weekend?
A. The schedule will be dependent upon game time. Game time can be announced as close as six to 10 days prior to game day. Check back for tentative schedules as the event date approaches. When schedules become available, they can be found at: ucfbands.com or ucfalumni.com/marchingknights. Schedules will also be emailed to all registrants the week of Homecoming.

 

Q. When will the game time be announced?
A. The game time can be announced as late as six to 10 days prior to game day. We have schedules prepared for each option. The events listed will not change. Only the timing will be affected.

 

Q. When and where do I check in for the reunion events?
A. Event check in is as follows:

  • Friday Night Social – volunteers will be available to check you in between 8-9 p.m. in the reserved alumni band section at Burger U. 
  • Saturday Game Day Festivities – check-in will be held prior to the start of band practice.  If you are marching in the half-time show, please stop by to check in before heading to the practice field. Instrument check-out will also be at check-in. You will check in regardless of whether you need an instrument or not.  Guests will also need to check in.

 

Q. Is practice on Saturday mandatory?
A. Yes. In order to participate on the field during the halftime show, you must attend practice prior to the game. Official band practice times will be announced when the full schedule is available. You must also be registered for reunion to participate on the field. Current UCF undergraduate students are not eligible to participate in reunion or march on the field.

 

Q. How do I access the music and performance videos?
A. Music and videos will be available online at ucfbands.com. Once you register for the Marching Knights Reunion, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link and password to access the music by instrument and videos for dance, majorette and guard.

 

Q. What do I do with my borrowed instrument after the halftime performance?

A. You may return your borrowed instrument to the alumni instrument truck immediately following halftime. Once at the truck, please check your instrument in with staff or designated volunteers. You may reenter the game one time after returning your instrument by walking back with designated staff and having your official shirt and wristband. 

 

For those wishing to store their instruments in order to play with the current MKs at the end the game may store their instrument in the MK cage immediately following the half-time show. You will be responsible for those instruments until the game is over and the band is released. Upon release, instruments must be returned directly to the alumni instrument truck and checked in with staff and volunteers. If you do not bring your instrument to the truck after half-time, you must stay until the end of the game and return it following release. Please do not leave borrowed instruments in the cage. 

 

Q. Will the alumni band be able to play in the stands during the game?
A. Yes, the alumni band will be able to play in the stands only if they are registered for the homecoming reunion and they are sitting in 134. Instruments are not permitted in any other section.   Participants will also have the opportunity to march on the field during the half-time show and also be invited to join the current MKs at the end of the game to play one run through before returning instruments. Alumni band members must register for reunion and attend band practice to participant in either opportunity.

 

Q. If I'm not attending the reunion, can I still visit my friends and sit in section 134?
A. Unfortunately no. Space is limited and seats are assigned, so there will not be seats available to those who have not registered for reunion and purchased game tickets in that section. You may attend the Friday Night Social to catch up with friends. 

 

Q. If I don't register for reunion, can I still come to practice and participate?
A. Unfortunately no. Only those who have registered to attend reunion will be able to participate in the practice and reunion breakfast. You may attend the Friday Night Social to catch up with friends.

 

Q. I'm no longer able to attend the reunion. Can I receive a refund?
A. Refunds will be given through Oct. 1 and refund requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the 1st to [email protected]. We are unable to issue refunds after that time. Current UCF undergraduate students are not eligible for MK homecoming reunion. No refunds will be issued to current undergraduate students.

Symphony Under the Stars Spring Reception


Memory Mall


Each spring, Marching Knights Alumni partner with the College of Arts and Humanities and the Parent and Family Council to host a dessert reception prior to Symphony Under the Stars on Memory Mall. Check back for more details in early spring.

Marching Knights Mentorship Program

 

The purpose of this program is to connect current Marching Knights with Marching Knights alumni mentors who share similar academic backgrounds, professional interests and/or career fields. Alumni mentors will share professional experiences, provide new perspectives and insights into their industry, share knowledge about career advancement and professional development opportunities, share information about professional organizations they belong to and assist in building and enhancement of their mentee’s individual skill set.

 

 

Mentorship program applications will open in early fall. For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

We owe our successes in large part to the generous contributions of the alumni, friends, corporations and foundations who have supported our efforts. Every gift has an impact that extends beyond the campus into our communities, and every gift is deeply appreciated. We thank those who have invested in the program and inspired our students and faculty to pursue their academic and professional dreams.

 

Make a Gift Today

 

For more information, please contact Azela Santana.

The Marching Knights Alumni Chapter is proud to support the following scholarships:

 

Branen Band Endowed Scholarship –  awards up to $500 to one or more full-time UCF Marching Knights with two or more years of participation. 

Troy Driggers Music Scholarship – awards up to $1,000 to students majoring in music.

 

Make a gift to support one or both of these scholarships today!

 

Are you a student wishing to apply for the Branen Band Scholarship? Applications will be made available in Sept. 2022. Check back for more information.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Azela Santana.